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Special Containment Procedures: The fortified walls around SCP-824 are designed to be entirely soundproof. Entering the chamber requires no special bodily protection, beyond the necessary earmuffs and goggles. Absolute silence is required when within the room. The first, larger sealing door must always be firmly closed before the second inner door is opened to the word eater's chamber. Silence must again be specially enforced in the brief moments when the chamber door is opened. SCP-824 must never be allowed to hear any sound beyond that of foot steps or the creaks of the doors. Those admitted must avoid direct eye contact with SCP-824, and will be briefed beforehand on how best to clear the mind of thought.

Description: First encountered in a disused [DATA EXPUNGED] in Southern Ireland, currently located in the British Isles facility to prevent unnecessary exposure to knowledge during transportation. SCP-824 biologically resembles a male of at least 80 years of age, and although apparently feeble and weak, proved incredibly physically resilient. Designated 'The Word Eater' soon after its incarceration and discovery of its capabilities. SCP-824 was accidentally fed with a large amount of sustenance upon its recovery. Its malevolent ability was not fully understood until a large amount of information was already consumed and irrevocably lost. It remains in its chamber willingly, and has not made any attempt to knowingly harm anyone that enters. SCP-824 does not appear to age or sicken, regardless of its lack of sustenance in recent years.

SCP-824 will consume any minor mumbling or sound without obvious effect. Making direct eye contact with SCP-824 will result in immediate consumption of surface thoughts, and total loss of the memories related to them. SCP-824 is contained to prevent its continuing consumption of the worlds finite amount of words. The empty volumes discovered in subjects original location contained many countless phrases and language fragments that are now irrevocably and retroactively missing from the collective consciousness. The Word Eater obtaining an item as simple as a modern dictionary would prove universally devastating.

Item #: SCP-824

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: The fortified walls around SCP-824 are designed to be entirely soundproof. Entering the chamber requires no special bodily protection, beyond the necessary gag. Absolute silence is required when within the room. The first, larger sealing door must always be firmly closed before the second inner door is opened to the word eater's chamber. Silence must again be specially enforced in the brief moments when the chamber door is opened.

The chamber housing SCP-824 holds five bookcases, several cabinets and tables, one bed and one copier. Once a week newly released books and periodicals are to be delivered, while copier toner is to be refilled, paper restocked, and blank pages removed.

Personnel trained to strictly use only words found in Simple English are allowed to converse with SCP-824, as using a very bare, generic lexicon prevents personnel from losing their vocabulary.

Description: First encountered in a disused [DATA EXPUNGED] in Southern Ireland, currently located in the British Isles facility to prevent unnecessary exposure to knowledge during transportation. SCP-824 biologically resembles a male of at least 80 years of age, and although apparently feeble and weak, proved incredibly physically resilient. Designated 'The Word Eater' soon after its incarceration and discovery of its capabilities. SCP-824 has the remarkable ability to consume words that are spoken in its presence, as well as written works of every single language, living, dead, or constructed.

It remains in its chamber willingly, and has not made any attempt to knowingly harm anyone that enters. SCP-824 does not appear to age or sicken, regardless of lack of or supply of sustenance.

SCP-824 consumes only certain words when they are verbally spoken. These words are almost always words which can be described by more basic vocabulary (See Document 824-1). When spoken words are consumed, the speaker loses all knowledge of that particular word and must re-learn the word as if it was entirely new.

No problems occur when written words are consumed, beyond the word disappearing from the page. However, while SCP-824 can glean a general knowledge of the feeling behind a written work, actual knowledge of the contents are zero. Following this, SCP-824 prefers fiction to nonfiction. SCP-824 appears to savor words and literary works the same way most humans enjoy a good meal (see Document 824-2)

Researcher : So, what do you feel when you eat books?
SCP-824 : They're great. Grand, even. The subtle nuances of a well-composed book. I could go on and on about what Shakespeare tastes like. Caliban! I still dream of the first time I read his speech in The Tempest.
Researcher : Would you like more Shakespeare?
SCP-824 : I used to be absolutely captivated by Shakespeare. Got him out of my system after a few years bottled up in a room with a copier machine, when copiers first came out. He's okay, but I enjoy variety.
Researcher : When were you created?
SCP-824 : You guys are so dull — always sticking to the same script.
Researcher : Why didn't you attend Shakespeare's performances yourself?
SCP-824 : I almost did, but that would have been biting the hand that feeds you.

Document 824-3: SCP-824 has requested that no more romance novels, erotica, or online fan-written derivative work be delivered to his chamber.

Memo 824-2: All personnel are reminded not to present SCP-824 with original material when he is requested to derive the intent behind a work. Copy the material and present SCP-824 with the copy. Several important texts regarding SCP-████ were almost irretrievably lost after the originals were devoured by SCP-824. Thankfully, online backups were made.